Both Landlords and Agents are looking for the same thing, the ideal tenant. We both want a tenant that pays on time and doesn’t fall into arrears, looks after the property, is realistic with repairs and wants to stay for a long time, among other things. The question is, how on earth do Ultralets guarantee the ideal tenant?! 

In short, you don’t. And if any agent says they can, turn around and walk out the door. 

There are no guarantees when it comes to this, however we can significantly lower the risk of anything going wrong by making sure thorough checks and referencing is complete before handing over the keys. 

So, how do Ultralets do it?

Most letting agents use outsourced companies to handle referencing. We choose to do it ourselves. Dealing with applicants directly allows our team to get a genuine feel for their character, something outsourcing simply cannot do.

1. Identifying Red Flags

A tenant's behavior during the viewing and application process is often a mirror of how they will behave during a tenancy. We look for:

🚩 Rude or dismissive behavior toward staff members on viewings.

🚩 Poor responsiveness: Not replying to questions or failing to send documents promptly.

🚩 High-pressure tactics: Calling the office multiple times a day without cause.

2. Financial Analysis 

Basic credit checks don't tell the whole story. We require 3 months of bank statements and payslips, which we cross-reference for accuracy. This allows us to analyze spending habits.

Expert Tip: If an applicant claims they have no pets but their bank statement shows monthly outgoings to a local vet or pet shop, it raises vital questions that we resolve before the application is put to you.

3. Direct Verification with Employers & Landlords

We contact employers to confirm start dates, hours worked, salary and whether a position is permanent. We also secure written references from previous landlords to confirm:

• Rental amounts and payment history.
• Whether the property was well maintained.
• Any history of arrears or breaches of tenancy.

4. Right to Rent & Background Checks

We ensure full legal compliance by verifying Right to Rent documents and residence permits. If an applicant has a history of CCJs, convictions (related to theft, drugs, or property damage), or previous evictions, we perform a deep dive to see if debts have been settled or convictions are spent.

5. Homeowner Guarantor

For maximum security, we verify homeowner guarantors by performing a Land Registry check. This confirms they actually own the property they are putting forward as security for the tenant.

What is the Landlord’s Role in the Application?

We keep you in the loop without wasting your time. We send you a candidate overview for your initial feedback before we begin full referencing. This ensures we only focus our resources on applicants you are genuinely interested in and who meet criteria.

Once referencing is complete, we provide our professional recommendation in PDF format, and you make the final decision to accept or decline.

How Long Does Referencing Take?

We’ll be honest: we could put a tenant in your property by the end of the week. But we won’t.

Why? Because rushing the vetting process is a recipe for stress. We’ve found that holding out for a reliable, long-term tenant is the best investment a landlord can make.

Typically, the process takes 3 to 5 working days. This timeline can vary depending on how quickly employers and previous landlords respond to our requests.

If you have questions about our referencing process, our team is here to help.

Have a vacant property that could benefit from our thorough referencing process? Give our Client Manager, Jake a call on 01482 562 562 or email him at jake.astill@ultralets.co.uk.